Skiathos, a lovely Greek island within the Sporades, has change into well-known for being one of many filming places for the film ‘Mamma Mia.’ 

This beautiful, verdant island could also be small however it’s blessed with a picturesque previous city, loads of unspoilt nature and among the finest seashores in Europe.

There’s sufficient issues to do in Skiathos, Greece, to maintain you cheerful for a two week vacation or extra, even when you’re not a fan of the film.

Skiathos – The Jewel of the Sporades

Like glowing emerald jewels within the northwest Aegean Sea, the Sporades are Greece’s most verdant and inexperienced islands with genuine Greek allure, unspoilt nature and pine forests tumbling down the hills to fulfill stunning white sandy seashores and clear turquoise shallow waters.

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The Sporades include 24 islands however solely 4, Skiathos, Skopelos, Skyros and Alonnisos, are completely inhabited.

Skiathos is probably the most developed and most visited island of the Sporades and is the simplest to entry attributable to its worldwide airport.

Skiathos can be the best gateway to exploring the remainder of these idyllic Greek islands with simple every day boat journeys to the neighboring islands.

Why I Love Skiathos

It’s house to the perfect seashores in Greece

At solely 12 km lengthy and 6 km vast, Skiathos could also be a small island, however there are over 60 pretty sandy seashores to discover and loads of issues to do and causes to go to Skiathos, Greece.

Skiathos’s sandy seashores are considered among the best in all of Greece. The South of the island is extra developed and the seashores supply golden sand, solar loungers, seashore bars, water sports activities and altering services.

Whereas the North is extra wild, rugged and undeveloped, coated with pine bushes as a substitute of resorts and with hidden coves and lengthy stretches of uncrowded seashores like Aselinos and Mandraki that you just may even have all to your self.

However hasn’t misplaced it’s conventional Greek allure

Skiathos City is a fairly, conventional, Greek previous city with blue and white buildings, historic cobbled slender streets, trendy boutiques, an open air cinema with nightly showings of the Mamma Mia film and harbour entrance cafes.

There’s loads of lodging and eating choices on the attractive island however Skiathos island nonetheless doesn’t really feel too over-developed and hasn’t misplaced its genuine Greek allure.

The island is rather a lot much less crowded and extra inexpensive than extra well-known Greek islands like Santorini, Mykonos and Crete however nonetheless affords loads of issues to do and every little thing you may ever want for a stunning vacation.

The locals and different vacationers are pleasant and communicate good English and Skiathos has change into often called the Boomerang island as folks fall in love and return 12 months after 12 months.

The Greatest Issues to do in Skiathos, Greece

Calm down on the Greatest Seashores in Skiathos

Boasting among the finest sandy seashores in Europe, it is sensible that stress-free on the seashore is likely one of the hottest issues to do in Skiathos.

With over 60 stunning sandy seashores there’s a seashore to swimsuit everybody in Skiathos whether or not you want your seashores buzzing with bars and water sports activities or whether or not you want to flee from all of it and simply calm down immersed in nature.

So selecting the perfect of the numerous seashores in Skiathos is basically all the way down to your desire. I can’t point out each seashore in Skiathos on this fast information, however right here’s a few of my favourites.

Koukounaries Seashore

The perfect seashore in Skiathos is Koukounaries Seashore. A beautiful sandy seashore with tender white sands and calm, clear waters backed by a pine forest, lake and nature reserve make for the right seashore day.

There are a couple of low key seashore bars alongside the sand and we loved a Greek salad, carafe of Greek wine with our ft within the sand proper on the ocean entrance. Umbrellas, solar beds, bogs, showers and altering services can be found.

Extra Seashores close to Koukounaries

There’s fairly a couple of improbable seashores with strolling distance of Koukournaries like Agia Eleni Seashore, Banana Seashore and Little Banana Seashore.

Agia Eleni Seashore is a small sandy seashore near Koukounaries seashore that can be very stunning and in style. Agia Eleni can be my favorite spot for sundown.

You can too stroll from Koukounaries Seashore over the hill and thru the luxurious Elivi Resort to the crescent formed Banana Seashore and head over the rocks to Little Banana Seashore – an official nudist seashore.

The place to remain and the best way to get to Koukounaries 

Koukounaries is located on the South West finish of the island 13 km from Skiathos city. It’s simply accessible by bus in about 30 minutes from the city and there’s a collection of resorts that make for a soothing keep.

The Elivi Resort

The brand new 5 star Elivi Resort is undoubtedly probably the most gorgeous resort in Koukounaries, and probably the entire of Skiathos. This sprawling new luxurious resort sits on the hillside overlooking 4 sandy seashores with excessive class eating places, scenic gardens, sundown and sea view rooms and even personal pool suites.

Check out prices and reviews here.

Lalaria Seashore

My absolute favorite seashore in Skiathos was Lalaria Seashore. The clear turquoise color of the water was in contrast to something I’ve seen earlier than and the glowing white pebbles, dramatic cliffs and the spectacular pure arch rising above the crystal clear sea actually blew me away.

Lalaria Seashore is a novel and unbelievably stunning seashore and it’s solely accessible by boat which makes it much more particular and uncrowded. There are additionally some sea caves situated simply earlier than Lalaria. 

We rented a ship and had this gorgeous seashore all to ourselves, it was like discovering a abandoned island, till a ship tour group confirmed up. There’s no seashore bar or services right here so carry a picnic!

One other of probably the most stunning seashores is Vourvoulomis Seashore, a naturally stunning golden sandy seashore nestled within the pine forest eight km from Skiathos city with a youthful and livelier vibe from the seashore bars.

Should you’re fortunate it’s possible you’ll even see swans on the seashore and within the ocean. We noticed them at Troulos and Vourvoulomis.

 

Seashores Near Skiathos City

A few of the fundamental seashores in Skiathos embody Megali Ammos Seashore, the closest seashore to the city however can get fairly crowded, and Agios Georgios Seashore.

Different seashores to take a look at embody Vassilias Seashore, Achilades and Agia Paraskevi Seashore. These are additionally full of life and in style seashores busy with bars and water sports activities.

You possibly can entry a lot of the fundamental seashores within the South by bus, however probably the most enjoyable means is to make use of a water taxi switch which run from the previous port in Skiathos City to the preferred seashores like Koukounaries, Agia Paraskevi, Achilades and Vassilias

Wander the Streets of Skiathos City

Exploring the previous city, the guts of the island, was one other of my favorite issues to do in Skiathos, Greece.

Simply by wandering by the previous city and getting misplaced within the maze of stairways and slender again streets you’ll uncover many pleasant and picturesque blue and white buildings, lanes that overflow with vibrant flowers, fascinating boutiques, artwork galleries and cafes by which to absorb the relaxed island life environment.

The previous port is the leaping off level for the numerous boat excursions that discover the neighbouring islands and likewise a stunning place to calm down in one of many waterfront cafes.

Additionally make certain to discover the tiny Bourtzi Peninsula, a former Venetian fortress which lies between the brand new and previous ports with pretty views, shady pine bushes and a terrific café.

Go to Agios Nikolaos Church and The Papadiamantis Home Museum

Climb up the winding steps by the previous city to go to Agios Nikolaos Church and Clock Tower and take within the views over the city and the harbour. 

One other factor to do within the city is to go to The Papadiamantis Home Museum, the birthplace and residential of Alexandros Papadiamantis, the famend Greek novelist thought-about to be the daddy of contemporary Greek literature.

Take pleasure in Skiathos’s Nightlife

Skiathos City can be the island’s nightlife hub with many bars, eating places, cafes and outlets located on Papadiamantis Avenue, the principle pedestalised avenue, 

Begin the night at one of many glorious water entrance seafood eating places on Paraliakos Avenue, watching the yachts and native fishermen earlier than partying the evening away in one of many nightclubs on the identical avenue.

Probably the most scenic locations to eat can be situated excessive above the city. The historic Windmill Restaurant is likely one of the oldest buildings on the island and affords stunning views over Skiathos, particularly at sundown.

Should you’re on a price range seize a gyros from one of many stalls on Papadiamantis Avenue for under a few Euros and make the most of the blissful hour cocktail affords within the harbour entrance bars. My favorite locations for cocktails had been the bars on the steps of the streets heading up from the harbour.

See the Mamma Mia Filming Places  

I’ve to be trustworthy, watching the film actually reignited my want to go to a Greek island. So after I discovered that ‘Kalokairi’ was truly Skiathos and Skopelos I began planning my very own journey!  

Should you additionally appreciated the movie then undoubtedly top-of-the-line issues to do in Skiathos is to go to the filming places!

Though plenty of the movie, particularly the interiors of the resort, had been truly filmed in Pinewood Studios in London, followers are certain to recognise some elements of the city from the film, particularly the previous port and the steps as much as Agios Nikolaos church and the clock tower the place Sophie despatched the letters off initially of the movie.

If you wish to watch the film once more it’s proven every day within the outside cinema on Papadiamantis Avenue. Watching the film below the celebrities and singing alongside is a enjoyable solution to spend a night.

There’s additionally a couple of bakeries and ice cream parlours named after the film, however fortunately the island hasn’t gotten too cheesy by over capitalising on its reference to the movie.

A few of the filming places had been on the neighboring island of Skopelos however fortunately there are a few particular Mamma Mia boat excursions to take you there for a enjoyable day journey.

Take the Mamma Mia Boat Journey Tour

After studying this article I select the Posideon Mamma Mia Cruise because it takes you proper to Agios Ioannis, the picturesque clifftop chapel from Sophie’s marriage ceremony, Kastani Seashore and Skopelos City.

Climbing as much as the church is sort of difficult nevertheless it’s a enjoyable time out and you’ll sing alongside to the soundtrack on the boat. The places you go to are stunning and positively top-of-the-line issues to do in Skiathos, even when you’re not a fan of the film.

Try this article for extra about the place in Greece Mamma Mia was filmed.

Extra Issues to do in Skiathos

Go on a ship journey or island hopping

One of many highlights of a go to to Skiathos is the vary of boat journeys from the previous port that may whisk you off for a enjoyable time out to discover the numerous islands close by, absorb the views from the boat and luxuriate in snorkelling and swimming within the crystal clear waters of the Aegean Sea – it’s like a mini island hopping journey!

You possibly can take a ship tour to discover the shoreline of Skiathos stopping off at Koukounaries and Lalaria, seeing the ocean caves and kastro (fort) in addition to visiting the tiny uninhabited islands and nature reserves of Arkos and Tsougkrias.  Check out the different sailing trips and book online here 

There are additionally boats and ferries departing from the port to the neighbouring islands of Skopelos and Alonnisos and the Greek mainland. 

Or hire your individual boat for a day!

Should you choose the liberty of exploring the island’s hidden gems independently then you may even hire a ship and be a captain for the day! It’s simple and enjoyable to drive the boat and also you don’t even want a ship license to hire the smaller motor boats.

We rented a ship from GR Boat Rental and after a fast coaching session had the perfect day exploring the entire island, stopping off wherever we needed, having a picnic on the boat and even seeing dolphins!

Expertise Aircraft Recognizing at Skiathos Airport

You may not anticipate to see tiny Skiathos Airport on a listing of the perfect issues to do in Skiathos however aircraft recognizing has change into a significant attraction in Skiathos.

The airport is strolling distance from the city and affords a novel alternative for aircraft spotters to get tremendous near the airplanes as they take off and land – one thing that you could solely expertise in Skiathos and Saint Martin within the Caribbean.

It’s unbelievable, and just a little scary, how shut the planes get to the onlookers and the street. There’s solely a few flights as day so verify the flight schedule earlier than you go to the watching space on the city finish of the runway. There’s even a café arrange for aircraft spotters with a flight board.

Go mountain climbing

Skiathos’s unspoilt nature and 197km lengthy mountain climbing path community make it a well-liked place for mountain climbing – the right solution to discover the wild pure panorama of the island. 

You possibly can hike to uncrowded seashores, like Mandraki Seashore on the rugged North aspect of the island or as much as the island’s peaks for wonderful views throughout the Mediterranean.

Probably the most rewarding hikes is to the traditional ruins of Skiathos Fortress, recognized domestically because the kastro. This medieval fort is perched excessive up on a cliff aspect on the Northern tip of the island and dates again to the 14th century when it was constructed to guard the island from pirates and invading forces. There’s not a lot left of the fort now however the views are nonetheless spectacular. 

There’s additionally the choice for guided horseback driving excursions for a novel solution to discover the island.

Go to the Evangelistria monastery

In-built 1794 by a bunch of monks the serene and delightful Evangelistria Monastery is likely one of the most historic locations to go to in Skiathos.

Located on a hill surrounded by pine forests the monastery has an excellent peaceable setting and a particular power. You possibly can take the bus, drive up and even hike to the Monastery.

An fascinating reality about Evangelistria Monastery is that the very first Greek Flag was woven and blessed right here! There’s additionally a cute store and café with numerous produce made by the monks.

The place to Keep in Skiathos

Essentially the most handy place to remain on the island is in Skiathos City itself, however there are additionally resorts and resorts on all the principle seashores and I loved the expertise of staying at each Koukounaries seashore and within the city.

By staying on the town you may simply wander the charming streets of the previous city, take a ship tour from the previous port, and benefit from the greatest collection of lodging, eating, purchasing and nightlife.

Megali Ammos, the closest fundamental seashore to Skiathos City, is lower than 10 minutes away by bus and you’ll discover a special seashore on daily basis through the use of the useful bus that runs alongside the coast.

Skiathos Luxurious Residing

We stayed at Skiathos Luxury Living and liked our spacious mezzanine residence suite. I couldn’t get sufficient of the gorgeous views over the previous city and the ocean from the balcony and pool and liked watching the ferries and planes.

The situation was unbeatable, only a few minutes stroll to the harbour or fundamental city but nonetheless peaceable sufficient to make sure a quiet nights sleep. Check prices, availability and reviews here.

Tips on how to get to Skiathos

Attending to Skiathos, Greece is straightforward and enjoyable whether or not you arrive by air or by boat.

The island has a small airport which makes visiting Skiathos simple. Skiathos Alexandros Papadiamantis Airport (JSI) receives every day flights from Athens in addition to worldwide flights from different locations in Europe just like the UK, Germany and Scandinavia.

One of the best ways to succeed in Skiathos by ferry is from mainland Greece is from the port of Volos in Thessaly. The ferry takes 1.5 – three hours and you’ll book it here.

Skiathos can be related by ferry to Athens (Piraeus), Thessaloniki, Agios Konstantinos, Evia and different islands of the Sporades.

Getting round Skiathos is made simple with the island’s bus route, nevertheless it’s restricted to the extra developed South of the island. You can too hire scooters, quad bikes or a automotive to discover the entire island independently.

 

I hope you discovered my options for issues to do in Skiathos helpful. Something I’ve missed out? Let me know within the feedback.

 

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